BETTER

I wrote this August 18, 2022, in the height of my almost-5 year affliction. It was submitted as a devotional for publication, but I put it here now for you, my audience. And more importantly, for God - my only audience and for Whom I write. The truths are still the same but the only difference is now I am healed. To which I say: "Praise God!"

The original graphic sent with the devotional

As it was published with one slight addition (I typed out Hebrews 13:5 in this blog).

DEVOTIONAL

BETTER

It is better to take refuge in the LORD that to trust in people.  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.  Psalm 118:8-9 NLT

No matter how much I desire to trust in people, I am reminded that it can be a slippery slope.  Putting all my trust in people creates an expectation that cannot easily be met.

I am not saying this with a broad brush, as the majority of my family and friends are completely for me and are in my corner, but when my expectations run high, my trust will most certainly be dashed at one point or another.  And most of the time the other person doesn’t even know it. 

The problem?

Usually, it’s me.

Because I have put my trust/hope/faith in fallible people rather than putting my trust in God, I will be disappointed.  And I have experienced this countless times.  Not that I have a record book of all the wrongs (even though the enemy has his book and loves to flash its pages in front of my line of vision, highlighted with all the wrongs done to me), but I have seen how I need to not read the pages.  Life happens.  I’m stressed.  People are stressed.  Life is complicated.  I add to it.

So what is the solution?

Putting my hope and trust in God and God alone.  He is the refuge, strong tower, safe place and He is faithful.  He will never fail nor abandon me.

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Sure, I have expectations on God that are incorrect – I love having my way all the time and in my idea of the proper time.  But God doesn’t miscommunicate with me, He always extends grace, He leads with love, He hasn’t had a bad day or is tired.

I know where I stand with God because Scripture tells me so – beloved, chosen, called, accepted, a work in progress.

With family and friends, so much goes into a relationship and life is happening all around that it is very easy to forget to stop and just appreciate the person.  My husband, for example. All the service, out of love, he does for me and our family.  My children, their love and support through the years.  My dear extended family with a desire to live in community with me and my family. 

My dear friends who want to spend time with me – even altering their schedule to accommodate my current lifestyle - broken, albeit trying to mend, feet.  Strict and weird diet restrictions making the lunch gig something we have to navigate around.  Not being able to do much because of those said feet, so fellowship has been limited to phone chats and the like.

I am so thankful for the precious peeps in my life.  Those that get me.  And still want to live life with me.

This graphic was not used in the original devotional - rather it was used for another piece. But it is so applicable here.

How much sweeter is it with God?  Much.  In fact, the Psalmist tells us it’s better.  Better to take my refuge in Him because He is mightier, stronger, capable, faithful and trustworthy.  Not that any of the people in my life are not this, but He is the better choice.

Rather than expecting someone to fulfill all my needs, God is saying He is the One who can and is willing, so I need to take my refuge in Him.  Not at the risk of being a hermit to mankind, but to have a settled heart knowing that all my needs are met in Him, so what I have in relationships here are just frosting on the cake.

Folks, this is a mental switch for me.  By having sweet communion with my heavenly Father I can leave my expectations of others in check and enjoy them rather than try to figure them out, read between the lines, feel misunderstood or not heard.  I can just be.

Much easier said than done, but it essentially gets others off the hook.  My hook of expectation.  And it also forces me to put my heart and eyes where they belong – on God.  The rightful One for my love, attention, affection, time.

Am I the only one, or could you use some adjustments too?

PRAYER

Father God, I thank You for being the better choice for me.  You do satisfy and complete me.  Please help me to always chose You so then my expectations of others to ______ is at a minimal level.  Thank You for being my strong tower and refuge.  In the name of Jesus, AMEN.